Use of a vein segment in peripheral nerve repair

The authors describe a new technique of nerve repair based on the utilisation of a venous sleeve to isolate and to contain the severed nerve during the period of cicatrisation. The histological pattern of the venous wall and its reaction to the regenerated nerve have been studied. Electrophysiological techniques, confirmed by histological studies, have demonstrated the good quality of the anastomosis. The utilisation of a venous sleeve allows for nerve repair without synthetic suture material. The dimensions of anastomotic neuroma are reduced, and are smaller than in other techniques of suture. The possibility of isolation of neuroma by the vein, even in the case of terminal neuroma, is equally worth consideration.